Leg support particularly for snowboard bindings

ABSTRACT

A leg support, for snowboard bindings, comprising a base to be fixed to a snowboard and from which a heel unit protrudes to the rear, the support comprising:  
     a first vertically elongated plate element arc-like shaped in a lower region, with ends pivoted to the heel unit;  
     a second vertically elongated arc-shaped plate element forming a calf support and arranged in front of the first element, by  
     at least one first adjustable fixing assembly, engaging in a corresponding hole formed in the first element and slideable transversely in a first hole formed in the second element;  
     at least one second adjustable fixing assembly, engaging in a corresponding hole formed in the first element and slideable in a second hole formed in the second element;  
     so as to allow, when the first and second fixing assemblies are loosened, a translational motion of the second element with respect to the first element, substantially on the plane of arrangement of the first and second shaped holes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a leg support particularly for snowboard bindings.

[0002] As is known, through the years snowboarding has become increasingly popular, involving an ever larger group of users who have sophisticated requirements especially as regards the adjustments available on the bindings.

[0003] Indeed, the coupling to the snowboard is crucially important in transmitting the movements imparted by the user to the board and it is therefore very important to allow the user to achieve the most comfortable possible adjustment of various functional and structural parameters.

[0004] In particular, a very important structural parameter is the position of the leg support.

[0005] Currently, it is possible to adjust only, and to a limited extent, the inclination of the leg support in the heel-toe direction, and this is not sufficient owing to the different possible snowboarding configurations required by users and to the variability of leg shapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide a snowboard binding that solves the drawbacks of commercially available solutions, particularly ensuring that the user can adjust the position of the leg support freely and flexibly.

[0007] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a leg support whose trim can be adjusted even by users lacking particular technical skills.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a leg support whose structure is constructively simple and is constituted by a reduced number of components without thereby affecting its flexibility in application.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a leg support whose structure can be associated easily with the most disparate types of binding.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a leg support whose structure can be manufactured with known technologies and systems.

[0011] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a leg support, particularly for snowboard bindings, of the type that comprises a base to be fixed to the snowboard and from which an arc-like heel unit protrudes to the rear, characterized in that it comprises:

[0012] a first vertically elongated plate-like element that has an arc-like shape in a lower region, with ends pivoted to said heel unit;

[0013] a second vertically elongated arc-shaped plate-like element that forms a calf support and is arranged in front of said first element with respect to a heel-toe direction of the foot, by means of

[0014] at least one first adjustable fixing assembly, which engages in a corresponding calibrated hole formed in said first element and can slide transversely in a first shaped hole formed in said second element; and

[0015] at least one second adjustable fixing assembly, which engages in a corresponding calibrated hole formed in said first element and can slide in a second shaped hole formed in said second element;

[0016] so as to allow, when said first and second fixing assemblies are loosened, a translational motion of said second element with respect to said first element, substantially on a plane of arrangement of said first and second shaped holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard binding with which a leg support having the structure according to the invention is associated;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a side view of the binding of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a partially sectional side view of the leg support;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the leg support;

[0022]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the leg support.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a leg support for snowboard bindings having the structure according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0024] The leg support 10 is associated with a snowboard binding 14, which comprises a substantially flat base 11 on which the tread of the shoe (not shown) rests, and means 12 (shown partially) for fixing to a snowboard 48.

[0025] A heel unit 13 protrudes to the rear in an arc-like shape from the base 11, and the lower ends of the leg support 10 and a strap 15 for fixing the shoe are pivoted laterally to the heel unit 13.

[0026] The leg support 10 is composite and comprises: a first central flat vertically elongated element 16, which tapers in an upper region and is arc-shaped in a lower region, with ends 17 that are hinged to the heel unit 13; a second arc-shaped element 18, which comprises a rigid body 47 and a front padding 46, which also is vertically elongated, is arranged at the front along the heel-toe direction of the foot, and forms a calf support; and a third rear plate-like element 19 for fixing, as will become better apparent hereinafter, the second element 18.

[0027] The three elements 16, 18 and 19 are mutually connected by adjustable connection means, which comprise: a first adjustable fixing assembly 21, which engages in a first slotted hole 22 formed in the rigid body 47 of the second element 18, with a longitudinal extension that matches the extension of the second element 18; and a second adjustable fixing assembly 23, which engages in a second hole 24 that is also formed in the rigid body 47 of the second element 18 and is substantially square so as to form a space for sliding on its own plane of arrangement.

[0028] The first fixing assembly 21 comprises a first bush 29, which is threaded internally and in which a first screw 30 engages.

[0029] The first bush 29 has a base provided with two flanges 31 a and 31 b that retain it so that it slides, without disengaging, along the first slotted hole 22.

[0030] The lower flange 31 b of the first bush 29 is arranged within a first interspace 20, which is formed between the padding 46 and the rigid body 47 of the second element 18.

[0031] The first screw 30 is provided with a flanged head 33, which rests on the third element 19 and on which a cover 34 is hinged in an upper region; once open, the cover allows to actuate the rotation of the first screw 30.

[0032] In practice, the first bush 29 and the first screw 30 pass through corresponding calibrated holes 27 and 28, which are formed respectively in the third element 19 and in the first element 16.

[0033] The second fixing assembly 23 comprises a second internally threaded bush 35, in which a second screw 36 engages.

[0034] The second bush 35 has a flanged base 37, which is arranged within a second interspace 32 formed between the padding 46 and the rigid body 47 of the second element 18.

[0035] The flanged base 37 is larger than the second hole 24, so that the second bush 35 can slide within a space that is limited by the second hole 24.

[0036] The second screw 36 has a head 38 that rests on the third element 19, in opposition to the flanged base 37 of the second bush 35.

[0037] In practice, the second bush 35 and the second screw 36 pass through corresponding calibrated holes 25 and 26, which are formed respectively in the third element 19 and in the first element 16.

[0038] The first and second assemblies 21 and 23, by acting on the first and second screws 30 and 36, allow therefore to adjust the position of the second element 18, on which the calf of the user rests, on a plane that substantially coincides with the plane of arrangement of the first and second holes 22 and 24.

[0039] The binding 14 also comprises means 39 for adjusting the inclination of the leg support 10 along the heel-toe axis.

[0040] The inclination adjustment means 39 comprise a longitudinally elongated block 43 with a saw-tooth lower surface 41 that mates with a complementarily shaped portion 42 of the first element 19 that is arranged at the calibrated hole 28 through which the first bush 29 passes.

[0041] The block 43 is interposed between the first element 16 and the third element 19 and is provided with a longitudinally elongated slotted hole 44 through which the first screw 30 passes.

[0042] The block 43 is further provided with a base portion 45 that protrudes from the third element 19, is available to the user and is suitable to rest and be retained against the heel unit 13.

[0043] As regards operation, by loosening the first screw 30 and the second screw 36, the packing of the second element 18 and of the third element 19 with respect to the first element 16 is loosened.

[0044] In this loosened condition, the user can adjust easily the position of the second element 18 until he has found the optimum trim.

[0045] Once the optimum trim has been achieved, the simple tightening of the threaded elements fixes the position of the second element 18.

[0046] Moreover, it is possible to adjust the inclination of the support 10 by acting on the block 43.

[0047] By loosening the first screw 30 it is in fact possible to make the block 43 slide longitudinally, its base portion 45, once the first screw 30 has been tightened again, resting and being retained against the heel unit 13.

[0048] In practice it has been observed that the present invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.

[0049] In particular, it is evident that the user is ensured the possibility to adjust extensively and flexibly the position of the leg support.

[0050] Moreover, it is noted that the leg support having the structure according to the invention can be adjusted even by users lacking particular technical skills.

[0051] Moreover, it noted that the leg support is constructively simple and constituted by a reduced number of components without thereby affecting its flexibility in application.

[0052] Last but not least, it is noted that the leg support can be associated easily with the most disparate types of boards.

[0053] The present invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0054] The technical details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0055] The materials may be any according to requirements.

[0056] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2001A000177 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A leg support, particularly for snowboard bindings, of the type that comprises a base to be fixed to a snowboard and from which an arc-shaped heel unit protrudes to the rear, further comprising: a first vertically elongated plate-like element that has an arc-like shape in a lower region, with ends pivoted to said heel unit; a second vertically elongated arc-shaped plate-like element that forms a calf support and is arranged in front of said first element with respect to a heel-toe direction of the foot, by means of at least one first adjustable fixing assembly, which engages in a corresponding calibrated hole formed in said first element and can slide transversely in a first shaped hole formed in said second element; and at least one second adjustable fixing assembly, which engages in a corresponding calibrated hole formed in said first element and can slide in a second shaped hole formed in said second element; so as to allow, when said first and second fixing assemblies are loosened, a translational motion of said second element with respect to said first element, substantially on the plane of arrangement of said first and second shaped holes.
 2. The leg support according to claim 1, wherein said second element comprises a rigid body and a front padding.
 3. The leg support according to claim 2, wherein said first hole is slotted, is elongated longitudinally so as to match said second element, and is formed in said rigid body of the second element.
 4. The leg support according to claim 2, wherein said second hole is substantially square so as to form a space for sliding on its own plane of arrangement and is formed in said rigid body of the second element.
 5. The leg support according to claim 2, wherein said first adjustable fixing assembly comprises a first internally threaded bush in which a first screw is engaged, with a base that is provided with two flanges that retain it so that it slides, without being able to escape, along said first hole, said lower flange being arranged within a first interspace formed between said rigid body and said padding of the second element.
 6. The leg support according to claim 5, wherein said second adjustable fixing assembly comprises a second internally threaded bush in which a second screw is engaged, said screw being provided with a flanged base that is arranged within a second interspace formed between said rigid body and said padding of the second element, said flanged base being larger than said second hole.
 7. The leg support according to claim 6, further comprising a third plate-like element that is arranged behind said first element with respect to said second element.
 8. The leg support according to claim 7, wherein said first screw is provided with a flanged head that rests on said third element, said first bush and said first screw passing through corresponding calibrated holes formed respectively in said third element and in said first element.
 9. The leg support according to claim 8, wherein a cover is hinged in an upper region on the head of said first screw and allows, once open, to actuate the rotation of said first screw.
 10. The leg support according to claim 7, wherein said second screw has a head that rests on said third element in opposition to said flanged base of said second bush, said second bush and said second screw passing through corresponding calibrated holes formed respectively in said third element and in said first element. 